Reeve seeks stiffer penalties for bylaw infractions

If it were up to Reeve Ken Lamming, individuals who fall afoul of Prince Township’s bylaws would take substantial hits to their wallets.

During a review of the township’s set fines at the recent council meeting, Lamming said some of them seemed “pretty low,” and should be much higher.

For starters, he wanted the fine for dumping refuse within the township to jump from $1,000 to $2,500.

“If people are going to come from town (Sault Ste. Marie) to dump garbage, I want to see a good fine,” he said.

He suggested too that the township offer a reward of up to $1,000 to individuals whose report the licence plate numbers of trash-laden vehicles heading up township roads.

Councillors initially began reviewing set fines at a special meeting on Nov. 27, where they received a table of township bylaws, along with suggested fines for infractions.

Special projects intern Laura McConnell, who created the table with advice from administrator Peggy Greco, explained that the fines listed in the table were meant as a starting point for discussion, and she expected to see some changes when council studied the fines more closely.

Once council agrees on the changes, the revised table must go to the Ministry of the Attorney General for approval, McConnell said.

Whenever a proposed fine exceeds $1,000, the ministry requires a written explanation for why it should be so high, she added.

“If you’d like to go ahead and charge the absolute maximum, I can write something up saying council feels it’s very important, and they really don’t want any dumping,” said McConnell.

Lamming replied that it was important to prevent properties on Airport Road North and Marshall Drive from becoming a dump site for old building materials and household discards.

He then proposed a $3,000 fine for the unauthorized stripping of topsoil, because of the long term damage that occurs as the underlying soil is eroded. The figure triples the $1,000 amount that appeared in McConnell’s table.

Greco noted that the ministry would need a written explanation for a $3000 fine as well.

To curb public nuisances like excessive noise, Lamming wanted residents who repeatedly disturb their neighbours to pay an escalating fine of up to $500.

“First time, (they get) a warning; second time, $150; the next time $500,” he suggested.

McConnell said she would have to check with the ministry to see if it permitted escalating fines for repeat offenders.

Coun. Amy Zuccato also suggested a $500 fine, instead of $300, for residents who permit the outdoor storage of unsafe containers, such as old refrigerators and freezers, where a child could be locked inside.

Council also agreed to raise the suggested fine of $300 for truckers who drive on roads where heavy commercial vehicle are prohibited to $500.

Lamming added that exceptions would be made for truckers headed to a worksite located along the road.

McConnell`s next task is to revise the table as council directed and e-mail each councillor a copy.

If council approves all revisions at the regular March meeting, the table will go to the Ministry of the Attorney General, she said.

In a separate e-mail interview after the meeting, McConnell stressed that fine hikes approved by council will not go into effect unless they are approved by ministry staff.

“Based on their comments, these fines will likely need further revision, not only for the proposed amounts, but to make sure ... We are setting fines for items that we have the authority to regulate,” McConnell said.